Research

The Division serves a diverse population with broad pediatric pathology and high acuity, providing an ideal environment for clinical research. Because of a rich clinical service and research interest, the division has been selected to participate in three national research network multi-center trials; Pamela Okada, MD, Associate Professor and Division Research Director, is the site investigator for these three studies.

Halim Hennes, MD, Division Director, serves as the principle investigator for a multi-center study to evaluate the effect of an educational pediatric pain management program for emergency medical technicians and paramedics; HRSA funded grant to develop and validate an educational module for pre-hospital providers on pediatric pain assessment and management. This study is funded by Emergency Medical Services for Children.

Other areas of research interests among division faculty include:

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis
    • Normal saline versus balanced salt solution as the initial bolus fluid in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Pediatric asthma care
    • The initiation of chronic asthma care regimens in the pediatric emergency department
    • Pediatric Texas Emergency Department Asthma Surveillance Project
  • Pediatric ultrasound
    • Therapy for outpatient management of community acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus and effect of ultrasound management on outcome
  • Neurologic emergencies
    • Therapeutic moderate hypothermia for the treatment of severe pediatric traumatic brain injuries; NINDS subcontract comparing the effects of moderate hypothermia on mortality after severe traumatic brain injury
    • The use of lorazepam for the treatment of pediatric status epilepticus: a randomized double blinded trial of lorazepam and diazepam; NICHD subcontract comparing the treatment effects of lorazepam and diazepam in pediatric status epilepticus
  • Sedation and pain control
  • Medical toxicology
  • Trauma and injury prevention
    • Family presence during pediatric trauma team activation: measuring the effects of a multidisciplinary approach to patient/family-centered care; HRSA subcontract evaluating the effect of family presence in the care of the pediatric trauma patient
    • Pediatric trampoline injuries: a prospective observational study evaluating the risk factors and injuries associated with pediatric trampoline use
    • Parental characteristics and pediatric emergency department usage

Recognizing the importance of fellowship research training, the division provides start up funds to support meaningful research by the fellows.